Kentucky Farm Bureau celebrates National Agriculture Week, March 4-10

Louisville, KY (March 1, 2012) – Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) will join numerous other farming organizations across the country as it celebrates National Agriculture Week, March 4-10. This week is set aside annually to draw attention to the many ways America’s food system improves the quality of life for everyone.

“The commitment, hard work and innovation of our farmers provides us with a stable supply of high-quality, affordable food,” said KFB President Mark Haney. “National Agriculture Week is an excellent opportunity for all Americans to learn more about the farmers who contribute so much to our nation’s prosperity and quality of life.”

The United States has the safest, most abundant and lowest-cost food supply of any nation in the world due to the incredible efficiency of its farmers. As agriculture also provides components of almost everything people eat, use and wear on a daily basis – and is increasingly contributing to consumer demand for alternative fuels and other bio-products – organizers of the National Ag Day program believe that every American should:

understand how food, fiber and renewable resource products are produced

value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy

appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products

acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, fiber and renewable resource industries.

“Just a few generations ago most families in Kentucky were directly connected to farming,” said Haney. “We realize that is not the case today. We need to make sure that all people, and especially our youth, understand the major role that agriculture has in everyday life.”

Although the number of farms in the United States has steadily declined over the years, agricultural production continues to meet the needs of a growing American and global population. Today’s farmer grows twice as much food as his or her parents did, but uses less land, water and energy to do so. About 90 percent of those farms are operated by families or individuals.

Additionally, an estimated 20 percent of U.S. farm production is exported and, according to government statistics, agriculture is one of the few remaining industries with a positive balance of trade. This production comes from the 2.2 million farms currently operating in America and accounts for more than 24 million jobs nationwide.

Kentucky’s economy is strongly supported by agriculture as well, accounting for more than $5.3 billion in annual economic activity plus more than 270,000 jobs, according to a University of Kentucky survey. Only four states have more farms than the 87,000 found in Kentucky.

Healthy as American ag production is, the amount of exported goods from the U.S. will need to increase even more if global demand for its food and fiber continues at the current pace. It is projected that the world’s population will grow by one-third its current size to an anticipated 9 billion people by the year 2050. With that kind of rapid growth, full support of the country’s agricultural producers is needed.

“Feeding people has always been the central role of farmers,” said Haney, “but feeding a growing world population while the amount of farmland is simultaneously shrinking is a real challenge. Appreciating, understanding and partnering with the ag community will be necessary at all levels of society if we are to meet these increasing demands.”

Haney, who operates an orchard and cattle farm in Pulaski County, said he hopes National Agriculture Week’s promotion of farmers will entice more people to educate themselves about what farmers do.

“Agricultural education should not just be for those who choose to pursue farming or agribusiness as a career,” concluded Haney. “A broader understanding of agriculture leads naturally to a greater appreciation of the safe and abundant food supply we have all come to enjoy.”

Additional information about the purpose and history of National Agriculture Week is available at agday.org.